obsessive-compulsive
[ uhb-ses-iv-kuhm-puhl-siv ]
/ əbˈsɛs ɪv kəmˈpʌl sɪv /
adjective
noting or relating to a personality characterized by perfectionism, indecision, conscientiousness, concern with detail, rigidity, and inhibition.
Psychiatry. noting or relating to a disorder or neurosis characterized by persistent intrusion of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or the performance of actions, as repeated hand-washing, that one is unable to stop (compulsions): obsessive-compulsive disorder.
noun
a person having obsessive-compulsive traits.
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Origin of obsessive-compulsive
First recorded in 1925–30; obsessive + compulsive
Words nearby obsessive-compulsive
observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsidian, obsidian dating, obsidional coin, obsolesc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for obsessive-compulsive
Medical definitions for obsessive-compulsive
obsessive-compulsive
adj.
Having a tendency to dwell on unwanted thoughts or perform certain repetitious rituals, especially as a defense against anxiety from unconscious conflicts.
n.
A person who exhibits obsessive-compulsive behavior.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.